Personalize

Personalize

Verb · /ˈpɜːsənəlaɪz/ · to design or tailor something to suit a particular individual

Definition

To make something specific to or suitable for a particular person. This can mean customising an object (a personalised mug with your name), adapting an experience (a personalised learning plan), or adjusting a system's behaviour to match individual preferences. The word implies deliberate adaptation — not random variation, but purposeful tailoring.

Origin

From personal (Latin personalis, from persona — mask, character) + the verb-forming suffix -ize. The word emerged in the early 19th century meaning "to make personal" or "to apply to a specific person." In the 21st century it exploded in usage thanks to digital technology — personalised ads, personalised feeds, personalised medicine.